Attachment for baluster for stair, balcony, or landing rail for both adjustable and fixed rails

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for attaching balusters for a stair, balcony, deck, landing or the like providing an adjustable connection of a baluster to a rail and a base surface. The apparatus includes a ball adapter and a socket. The ball adapter is joined with the socket and mounted on a stair surface. The ball adapter and its mounting to the socket provides for limited adjustable movement of the adapter with respect to the socket and the stair surface. The ball adapter provides for the attachment of a baluster to the adapter. The adjustable connection of this apparatus can be used to attach to a rail or to a base of a stair, balcony, deck, landing or the like. The ball adapter and socket can be used to produce modular prefabricated baluster systems that can be adjusted for any slope or level rail and baluster installation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/560,061, entitled “ATTACHMENT FOR BALUSTER FOR STAIR, BALCONY, OR LANDING RAIL FOR BOTH ADJUSTABLE AND FIXED RAILS,” filed Jul. 7, 2012, which is currently pending, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/151,929, entitled “ATTACHMENT FOR BALUSTER FOR STAIR, BALCONY, OR LANDING RAIL FOR BOTH ADJUSTABLE AND FIXED RAILS,” filed May 9, 2008, and this application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/703,327, entitled “BALUSTER BALL JOINT ADAPTER ATTACHMENT FOR A BALUSTER TO STAIR RAIL(S) AND BASE,” filed Feb. 6, 2007, which is currently pending, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/793,159, entitled “BALUSTER BALL JOINT ADAPTER ATTACHMENT FOR A BALUSTER TO STAIR RAIL(S) AND BASE,” filed Apr. 20, 2006, which has expired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an attachment for a baluster for a stair, balcony or landing rail.

2. Description of the Related Art

This invention relates to construction of railing systems associated with stairs, balcony, landing or deck railings and particularly to the construction and attachment of balusters to such constructions. In the construction of stairs, decks, balconies and the like, there is a need for installing railings and balusters between the railings and the base of the stair, balcony, landing or deck and there are frequent jurisdictional codes as to the size and spacing of balusters along such railings. The construction of railings and the installation of balusters with those railings at a job site can be time consuming in the spacing and attachment of the balusters between the railing and a base. The present invention is intended to provide a simplified apparatus for positioning and adjusting balusters along a railing installation.

The on site installation of balusters to a sloping stairway requires measurement and alignment of separate balusters to conform to the slope of the stairway. Because not all stairways are of the same slope, the installing of a baluster may require drilling mounting holes in a railing for connection of a baluster and aligning such holes with mounting holes along a base surface. The present invention provides a simplified means and method for installing balusters along a railing regardless of the slope of a stairway or the spacing between the railing and a base surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accord with the present invention baluster attachment to stair or balcony railing is accomplished using a ball joint attachment. The ball joint can be used to attach a baluster between rails using a ball joint top and bottom (both ends) of the baluster or attaching the baluster to a top rail only and using a base to attach the baluster to a tread at the bottom. The ball joint may be adjustable in a longitudinal direction only along the length of the rail by pinning the ball joint at 90° to the axis of the rail to form a modular configuration of multiple balusters held by fillet rails of various lengths which can be attached to a rail or (without a plough) accommodated in a rail plough at top and bottom to form an adjustable rail which is variable in length according to the number of modules which are held between the rails. In this configuration the balusters are attached to the fillet rails and the fillet rails are attached to the top and bottom rails—also known as the banister rail and shoe rail. The baluster may also be attached to the top rail using a ball adapter. A socket is used to conform the surface of the rail in multi planar attachment or a hole is drilled to form a socket also allowing a multi planar attachment to the rail. A screw may be used to attach the ball adapter which may be a separate screw or a permanently fixed screw.

The screw is used to hold the socket in place or in the case of a socket hole it is used to hold the ball in the hole.

The base which is used to attach the bottom of the baluster to a tread may be attached to the tread via base thread or screw. As a part of the baluster attachment to a fillet rail, a clip can also be used as an alternative to drilling pin holes in the fillet rails. The clips are a variation of a socket and the clip socket is independently attached to form a movable socket hole.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified apparatus and method for attaching balusters between a railing and a base surface of a deck, tread, balcony, landing or the like by providing an attachment assembly that permits the installation of a baluster regardless of the angular slope between the railing and a base.

A further object in accord with the preceding object is the provision of an assembly of a ball adapter and a socket that permits the movable adjustment of the angle of a baluster with respect to the slope of a rail to provide for ease of installation of the baluster to the rail and/or a base.

A further object in accord with the preceding objects is to provide for the assembly of a plurality of balusters with a railing insert that will permit the installation of adjustable modules of balusters along spaces in a stair, deck, balcony, or landing.

Further objects and features of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a baluster installed between a rail and a base showing the elements of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial section view of the baluster installation of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another partial section view showing several elements of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a section view of an alternative form of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial section view showing elements of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial section view of another form of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 & 8 are additional alternative forms of the ball adapter.

FIGS. 9 & 10 are forms of base attachment elements.

FIG. 11 is a plan and section view of socket construction

FIG. 12 is an elevation view of a baluster with ball structure at each end.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of the installation of a baluster like FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of a ball adapter of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded illustration of the parts of an assembly of the present invention for mounting a baluster to a banister and a shoe rail.

FIG. 16 is the apparatus of FIG. 15 in assembled form and installed.

FIGS. 17, 18 & 19 are alternative forms of plough and fillet rails in a banister.

FIG. 20 is an exploded illustration of a banister and shoe rail with mounting sockets.

FIG. 21 is a section view of an alternative form of a ball adapter.

FIG. 22 is a section view showing the use of clip attachment for mounting a ball adapter to a fillet rail.

FIG. 23 is section view through FIG. 22 along lines 2-2.

FIG. 24 is a section view of elements of a clip and fillet rail installation.

FIG. 25 is an alternative form of clip and fillet rail construction.

FIGS. 26 & 27 are alternative forms of clip construction.

FIG. 28 illustrates the use of the clip of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of a fillet rail with a clip installation and showing the tabs in place in a groove in the fillet rail.

FIG. 30 is an illustration of a portion of a fillet rail in preparation for installation of clip fasteners or for ball adapter installations without a socket.

FIG. 31 is an illustration of adjustable baluster modules assembled in accord with the present invention.

FIG. 32 is an elevation view showing baluster modules installed along a sloping stair or ramp.

FIG. 33 is a section view of one form of a ball adapter.

FIG. 34 is a section view of an alternative form of a ball adapter.

FIG. 35 is a partial section view of the installation of a ball adapter and a socket.

FIG. 36 is a partial section view of alternative forms of ball adapter and socket installations.

FIG. 37 is an illustration of the installation of a ball adapter without a socket.

FIG. 38 is an illustration of two alternative forms of attaching a ball adapter to a socket.

FIG. 39 is an illustration of the ball adapter and socket installed on a rail.

FIG. 40 is an illustration of a ball adapter and an alternative socket on a rail.

FIG. 41 is a section view of a ball adapter and socket installation with a rail having a plough and a fillet rail.

FIG. 42 is an illustration of the mounting of the end of baluster to a tread, balcony or landing.

FIG. 43 is an illustration of a socket mounted to a shoe rail.

FIG. 44 is an illustration of a ball adapter and socket on a shoe rail with a plough.

FIG. 45 is an illustration of a ball adapter in a cutout hole in a rail.

FIG. 46 is an illustration of a ball adapter attached to a fillet rail with a pin for installation in a rail with or without a plough.

FIG. 47 is an illustration of the series of steps in installing a baluster in accord with one form of the present invention.

FIGS. 48 to 51 illustrate an alternate embodiment for a base washer or adapter in accordance with the present invention, wherein FIG. 48 is a side view of a base baluster connector, FIG. 49 is cross sectional view along the line 49-49 in FIG. 48 showing the base baluster connector, FIG. 50 is a side view of the base washer or adapter, and FIG. 51 is a top view of the base washer or adapter.

FIGS. 52 and 53 are cross-sectional views show additional embodiment for base washer or adapters and base baluster connectors in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 54 and 55 disclose yet another embodiment for a base washer or adapter and base baluster connector in accordance with the present invention, wherein FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly and FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the base washer or adapter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention; however, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly 1 of a baluster installation wherein a baluster 11 is shown attached between a top rail 12 and a bottom rail or shoe rail 13 using a ball and socket connector 14 at the top and bottom of the baluster. The connection to the rails includes a ball adapter 15 and a socket 16. The connector 14 assembly is more fully described hereinafter along with its function of providing an adjustable connection of a baluster to a rail, balcony, landing or tread in a stair.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in partial section, the installation of a baluster 11 connection to a top rail 12 having a plough 21 in its lower surface and a fillet rail 22 in the plough and the ball and socket connector 14 attached to the under surface of the plough 22. This sectional view shows the plough and fillet rail at both the top and the bottom of the baluster installation.

The installation of a baluster to a rail system as shown in FIGS. 1 & 2 illustrates the ability of the baluster 11 to be installed in a rail system regardless of the slope of the railing in that the ball and socket connector assembly provides for a ball surface 17 to be rotatable within a socket cup 18 of the socket 16 at both ends of the installation.

FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly of a connector 14 wherein a baluster 11 is connected to a sloping top or upper rail 12 and a horizontal base or tread 31. In this figure, the ball adapter 15 includes a ball 17 and an interior cavity 32 open at its bottom end 33 and terminating at it upper end 34 below the ball surface 17. The ball adapter 15 further includes an interior cavity 35 of lesser diameter than the cavity 32 and extending from the upper end 34 of cavity 32 to the center axis of the ball 17 at a shoulder 36 in that cavity 35. The ball 17 then has an extending cavity 37 of pyramidal form (to be described hereinafter) for accommodation of a screw attachment means 38.

The ball 17 engages the socket 16 at an opening 39 having a complementary form for engaging the ball and the interior 40 of the opening 39 is tapered to engage the exterior of the ball 17 and to provide a movable connection between the socket 16 and the ball adapter 15.

The socket then has an open end at 41 terminating in a perimeter shoulder 42. The screw attachment means 38 then passes through the internal cavity 32, the further cavity 35 and the pyramidal cavity 37 and can be driven into the underside of a rail 12 to secure the socket 16 to the rail 12 and to engage the ball 17 within the socket. The location of the head of the screw 38 at the intersection of the pyramidal cavity 37 and the cavity 35 permits the ball adapter 15 to be movable side-to-side in two directions of movement with respect to the rail and within the socket cup opening 39.

FIG. 3 also shows another attachment of the baluster 11 to a base or tread 31 wherein a base washer or adapter 24 is secured to the base 31 by a screw 25. A base baluster connector 26 having a hollow interior 27 is adapted to receive the lower end 11 a of a baluster 11. The connector 26 can be axially slidable along the baluster 11 and, as shown in this FIG. 11 to be attachable to the exterior of the end 11 a of the baluster and to the base washer 24 by set screws 28. Also as shown in this FIG, the upper end 11 b of the baluster 11 can be attached to the ball adapter by a set screw 29. The installation of a baluster to the form shown in FIG. 3 will be more fully described hereinafter.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 48 to 51, another structures for the attachment of the baluster to the base or tread or appreciated. In particular, the base washer or adapter 24 may be constructed without threads and with an angled groove 340 to enhance the interaction of the base washer or adapter 24 with the tread upon tightening of a set screw 28. As with the prior embodiments, the base washer or adapter 24 includes a cylindrical body 342 having an upper surface 344 and a lower surface 346 with a side wall 348 extending between the upper surface 344 and the lower surface 346. The cylindrical body 342 is further provided with a central aperture 350 shaped and dimensioned for the passage and retention of a securing screw 25 therethrough when the base washer or adapter 24 is secured to the tread 31 with a screw 25.

The side wall 348 of the body 342 is provided with an upper circumferential edge 352 and a lower circumferential edge 354. The upper and lower circumferential edges 352, 354 define a diameter that is only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the base baluster connecter 26 in which the base washer or adapter 24 is positioned. Between the upper circumferential edge 352 and the lower circumferential edge 354 lies a recessed section 356 shaped and dimensioned for receipt of the set screw 28 when such set screw 28 is tightened during the installation process.

The recessed section 356 is provided with an angled surface 358 that tapers inwardly as it extends from the upper circumferential edge 352 to the lower circumferential edge 354; that is, the effective diameter of the cylindrical body 342 within the recessed section 356 at any cross section taken parallel to the plane in which the upper surface 344 lies decreases as one moves from the recessed section 356 adjacent the upper circumferential edge 352 toward the recessed section 356 adjacent the lower circumferential edge 354.

As a result of the taper provided in the recessed section 356, the base baluster connector 26 is drawn tightly against the tread 31 when a set screw 28 is tightened against the base washer or adapter 24 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, as the set screw 28 is threaded through the base baluster connector 26 and the tip 28 a of the set screw 28 engages the recessed section 356 of the base washer or adapter 24. As pressure is applied, the angled surface of the recessed section 356 interacts with the set screw 28 in a manner biasing the set screw 28 down the surface of the recessed section 356. Because the base washer or adapter 24 is securely screwed to the tread 31, the base washer or adapter 24 does not move. However, the set screw 28 and the base baluster connector 26 to which the set screw 28 is attached are able to move and, therefore, are biased downwardly toward the tread 31 as pressure is applied.

In addition, a tight interaction between the base washer or adapter 24 and the tread 31 is facilitated by providing the lower surface 346 of the base washer or adapter 24 with serrations 360 shaped and dimensioned to frictionally engage the tread 31.

When such a base washer or adapter 24 is employed, the base baluster connector 26 is provided with three lateral access apertures, one upper lateral access aperture 362 and two lower lateral access apertures 364, 366, for set screws 28. The upper lateral access aperture 362 is oriented to allow engagement of a set screw 28 passing therethrough with the baluster 11 that has been positioned within the upper section 27 a of the hollow interior 27 of the base baluster connector 26. The first and second lower lateral access apertures 364, 366 are oriented to allow engagement of a set screw 28 passing therethrough with the recessed section 356 of the base washer or adapter 24 positioned within the lower section 27 b of the hollow interior 27 of the base baluster connector 26.

In accordance with other alternative embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 52 to 55, other structures for the attachment of the baluster to the base or tread are appreciated. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 52 and 53, the base washer or adapter 24 includes a cylindrical body 442, 542 having an upper surface 444, 544 and a lower surface 446, 546 with a side wall 448, 548 extending between the upper surface 444, 544 and the lower surface 446, 546. Although a cylindrical body is disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is appreciated the body may be square, rectangular, or of other shapes.

The cylindrical body 442, 542 is further provided with a central aperture 450, 550 shaped and dimensioned for the passage and retention of a securing screw 25 therethrough when the base washer or adapter 24 is secured to the tread with the screw 25. The side wall 448, 548 of the cylindrical body is formed with a horizontal groove 556 (see FIG. 53), hole 456 (see FIG. 52), or other depressions shaped and dimensioned to receive set screw. These depressions provide additional security for the set screw 28 (or pin) attachment of the base baluster connector 26 to the base washer or adapter 24. The base baluster connector may be attached to the base washer or adapter separately and the baluster may also be attached to the base washer or adapter or base baluster connector separately.

The embodiment disclosed with reference to FIG. 52 is further provided with a side wall recess 460 shaped and dimensioned for engaging interaction with a protrusion 462 extending from the inner wall 463 defining the hollow interior 27 within the lower section 27 b of the base baluster connector 26 for enhancing the engagement between the base baluster connector 26 and the base washer or adapter 24. In particular, and with the base washer or adapter 24 secured to the tread with a screw 25, upward movement of the base baluster connector 26 is substantially prevented due to the interaction between the protrusion 462 of the hollow interior 27 and the side wall recess 460 of the base washer or adapter 24 as the protrusion 462 is positioned within the side wall recess 460. Further holding power is provided by the opposed interacting tapered surfaces 464, 466 of the protrusion 462 of the inner wall 463 of the hollow interior 27 and the side wall recess 460 of the base washer or adapter 24. In particular, as the set screw 28 is tightened and the spacing between the base washer or adapted 24 and the inner wall 463 defining the hollow interior 27 of the base baluster connector 26 allows the protrusion 462 to be pushed into the side wall recess 460, the opposed tapered surfaces 464, 466 of the protrusion 462 and the side wall recess 460 interact in a manner applying downward force to the base baluster connector 26 (that is because the base washer or adapter 24 is held in place with a screw 25, the interaction between the base washer or adapter 24 and the base baluster connector 26 will cause the application of downward force to the base baluster connector 26).

Referring to FIGS. 54 and 55, a single attachment mechanism using only one set screw or pin may also be employed. In accordance with such an embodiment, the base washer or adapter 24 is hollow with one side open 612 to allow the baluster 11 to swing inside the base washer or adapter 24 during the installation process. The base baluster connector 26 would then slide over the base washer or adapter 24 and baluster 11, locking the baluster 11 inside the base washer or adapter 24. A single set screw or pin 28 passes through the base baluster connector 26 and base washer or adaptor 24 and is tightened against or into the baluster 11.

In accordance with such an embodiment, the base washer or adapter 24 includes a cup-shaped, disk body 642 having a base surface 644 with an upper side 646 and a lower side 648. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the base surface 644 is substantially square and includes first, second, third, and fourth sides 660, 662, 664, 666 extending between the upper side 646 and the lower side 648. The base surface 644 is provided with an aperture 650 shaped and dimensioned for the passage of a screw 25 therethrough for attachment to a tread. The disk body 642 also includes first, second, and third upwardly extending side walls 668, 670, 672 extending upwardly from the upper side 646 of the base surface 644 along the first, second and third sides 660, 662, 664. As such, the base surface 644 and the upwardly extending side walls define a cup-shaped base washer or adapter 24 with an open side 612 through which a baluster 11 may pass during the installation process. As discussed above, a set screw 28 is used to hold the base washer or adapter 24 in place and the second upwardly extending side wall 670 is provided with a hole 674 shaped and dimensioned for receipt of the set screw 28. It is appreciated that in accordance with a preferred embodiment the hole 674 is threaded such that the set screw 28 may pass therethrough and engage the baluster 11. As such, and as the set screw 28 is screwed inwardly, the baluster 11 will be pushed into engagement with the inner wall 663 defining the hollow interior 27 of the base baluster connector 26 in a manner frictionally locking the base baluster connector 26, baluster 11 and base washer or adapter 24. During the installation process, the baluster 11 is positioned adjacent the inner side walls 676, 678, 680 of the first, second and third side walls 668, 670, 672 within the space defined by the first, second and third side walls 668, 670, 672.

As for the base baluster connector 26 it is substantially as described above with a hollow interior 27 shaped and dimensioned for positioning over the baluster 11 and base washer or adapter 28 during the installation process.

In summary, and as appreciated based upon the foregoing discussion, a number of variations for attachment of the baluster and base baluster connector are contemplated. In general, the first attachment mechanism, (that is, the base washer or adapter in accordance with the disclosed embodiments) is shaped to fit inside an appropriately shaped cavity in the base baluster connector. Consequently, it is appreciated, the shape may be in the following forms but not limited to round, square, oval, rectangular, hollow or solid with at least one or more vertical or partially vertical sides. The base washer or adapter may be attached to the tread or base using screws, nails, glue, clips and other attachment means. The base baluster connector is formed to allow it to slide onto the baluster. Once the baluster is positioned within the base baluster connector and aligned over the base washer or adapter, the base baluster connector is slid down the baluster to fit over and onto the base washer or adapter. At least one set screw (or pin) is used to secure the base baluster connector to the base washer or adapter and secure the baluster in position.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative form of cooperating assembly of a ball adapter and a socket, and is illustrated in an assembly used with a fillet rail. In this alternative form the socket 16 is attachable to a fillet rail 22 by a screw 45 passing through a hole 46 in the rail and into a threaded portion 47 in the socket 22. The interior of the base of the fillet rail 22 and the exterior of the socket 16 are formed with complementary surfaces to provide a smooth connection between the socket and the fillet rail. The interior 48 of the socket is formed to receive the ball 17 portion of the ball adapter 15. A transverse hole passes 49 through the peripheral edges of the portion of the socket 16 that accommodates the ball 17. The ball 17 includes a transverse hole 50 positioned so that it is aligned with the hole 49 in the socket and the two holes are designed to receive a mounting shaft 51, or pin, for supporting the ball adapter 15 in movable alignment within the socket 16. This movable alignment permits the ball adapter 15 to have limited rotational movement about an axis transverse to the fillet rail 22.

The assemblies shown in FIGS. 3 & 4 are adapted for mounting a baluster to the under surface of a rail or a fillet rail, and as will be described hereinafter, these assemblies could be use to connect a baluster to a base surface of a stair or the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates another alternative form for the assembly of a ball adapter and socket and its means of mounting to a rail. In this form the ball adapter 15 has a ball surface 17 that cooperates with a socket 16 and a screw 52 passes axially through the center of the ball 17 to engage the under surface of the rail 12.

FIG. 6 illustrates another alternative form of attaching a ball adapter 15 to the undersurface of a rail 12. In this form, a cutout 61 is cut into the under surface of the rail 12 and the ball 17 fits into that cutout 61. A screw 62 passes through the center of the ball 17 and is screwed into the surface of the rail 12 at the interior of the cutout 61.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative form for the ball adapter 15 wherein the ball 17 is fabricated with an attachment device 70 having screw end 71 extending out of the ball 17 for engagement with a rail and a threaded end 72 for attaching a cup like portion 73 adapted to receive an end of a baluster (not shown). A threaded cup or nut may be installed through the interior of the cup 73 to attach the cup to the ball 17 at the threaded end 72 of the device 70. When the elements of FIG. 7 are assembled to form a ball adapter 15, the assembly can be mounted to a rail in the manner described with respect to FIG. 5 or 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative form for construction of the ball adapter 15. In this form the ball 17 portion of the adapter is formed with an imbedded mounting means 80 with a screw threaded portion extending from the surface of the ball. As illustrated, this form of ball adapter may be mounted to the under surface of a rail in the manner shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates a structure for attaching the bottom end of a baluster to a base surface of a stair, tread, balcony, landing or the like. In this form a washer-like element 90 having external threads is attached to a base 31 by screw 25 passing through the element 90 and into the base 31. A connector 26 has a hollow interior and an interior threaded portion 91 adapted to mate with the external threads of the element 90 to secure the connector 26 to the element 90 and base 31. This form of base connection is as described with respect to FIG. 3 where the hollow interior of the connector 26 is adapted to receive the end of a baluster and to make a solid connection to the base through the threaded connection with the washer-like element 91.

FIG. 10 illustrates two alternative forms for baluster connectors for the baluster attachment of the present invention. In these forms the connector 100 is a hollow form with either a screw 101 for passing through the interior of the connector to a base or the connector is formed with an imbedded screw 102.

FIG. 11 is a plan and section view of a form of the socket 16 that is to be attached to the underside of a rail as with the ball adapter mounting systems shown in FIGS. 3 & 5. The opening 39 in the socket, as shown in the section taken along lines A-A of FIG. 11, has a tapered surface 40 (here shown as hemispherical) that mates with the exterior surface of the ball as shown in FIG. 3 or 5.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a simple baluster having ball surfaces 121 at each end. These ball surfaces 121 can be adapted to cooperate with a socket 16 to be mounted to the under surface of a rail or the base of a stairway.

FIG. 13 illustrates the use of a baluster 11 in the form shown in FIG. 12 with ball surfaces 121 and a socket 16 attached to a rail 12 by screws 131, or the like, passing through a surface of the socket 16.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of the ball adapter 15 showing the interior cavity 31 and the further interior cavity 35 terminating at the center of the ball and adapted to cooperate with the head of a screw 38. Also illustrated is the pyramidal cavity that permits limited pivotal movement of the ball adapter 15 with respect to it mounting on a rail or the like. The perspective shown perpendicular arrows are intended to illustrate the moveable motion of the ball adapter and a baluster attached to it for assembling a baluster on a railing as will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 15 is an exploded illustration of the elements of a baluster construction for mounting on a rail system. FIG. 16 illustrates the elements of FIG. 15 when assembled. In FIG. 15, starting from the top, illustrates a rail 12 with a plough, a fillet rail 22 or socket 16 of the form shown in FIG. 4 with a pin 51 passing through a hole 49 in the socket and through a hole 50 in the ball for mounting a ball adapter 15 to the fillet rail 22 or socket 16, a baluster 11 having ball surfaces 121 at each end, and a base mounting assembly including a ball adapter, socket 16, pin 51 and aligned holes 49 and 50, and means for attaching the fillet rail 22 or socket 16 to a plough 21 in a shoe or bottom rail 13. FIG. 16 illustrates all of the parts of FIG. 15 in assembly. FIGS. 17, 18 & 19 illustrate alternative forms of ploughs 21 in a rail 12 and different means for maintaining a fillet rail 22 within the ploughs. FIG. 17 illustrates a form with the fillet rail having a flush mating with the rail plough. FIG. 18 illustrates a dovetail mating form for the plough and fillet rail. FIG. 19 illustrates a tongue and groove mating form for the plough and fillet rail. In each of these cases, the plough is a continuous groove formed in the surface of the rail from one end to the other end of the rail. The fillet rail is adapted to be inserted into the plough and is used in the formation of modular assemblies of balusters as will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 20 illustrates a top rail 12 and a bottom rail 13 having an attached fillet rail 22 showing holes passing laterally through the fillet rail edges 23 for accommodating a pin 51 for mounting a baluster assembly.

FIG. 21 illustrates a form of ball adapter for mounting the adapter in a socket 16 or a fillet rail 22 (shown in FIG. 15) using a pin 51 through the ball portion 17.

FIGS. 22 through 31 illustrate an alternative form of attaching a ball adapter to a fillet rail system. In FIG. 22 a fillet rail 220 is illustrated with a cutout hole 221 extending vertically through the rail and adapted to receive a cup shaped clip 222.

The cutout 221 has a diameter to receive the clip and reduced diameter end at 223 to cooperate with the exterior end of the clip 222 and to act as a stop for the insertion of the clip within the fillet rail. The reduced diameter end is larger than the diameter of a ball portion 17 of a ball adapter for reasons that will be apparent hereafter. The clip has diametrically opposed tabs 224 adapted for mounting the clip in the fillet rail 220 and the rail has a longitudinal groove 225 on its outer surface for cooperating with the tabs. The tabs 224 are adapted to receive screws for attaching the clip to the groove 225 in the rail 220. As shown in FIG. 22, a ball adapter 15 can be mounted in the clip 222 and the ball adapter 15 can be provided with as central hole 226 passing through the ball 17 at its center, the hole is shown in the ball of FIG. 22 at 900 to the axis of the fillet rail 220, for accommodating a pin 227 for supporting rotational movement of the ball adapter about the pin 227 (FIG. 23).

As illustrated in this FIG, the ball adapter 15 is inserted up through the reduced diameter hole 223 in the rail 220 and the clip 222 is placed on the ball 17 with pin 227 passing through the hole 226 in the ball and the holes 228 in the clip. Then the clip is passed down through the hole 223 and the tabs 224 are fixed with screws to the groove 225 in the surface of the fillet rail. When so assembled and extending from the outside of the rail 220, the ball adapter 15 is adapted to receive an end of a baluster.

FIG. 23 illustrates a sectional view through the apparatus as shown in FIG. 22 with the ball adapter 15 mounted in the clip 222 and the clip moved down into place in the rail. The ball 17 is pivoted about the pin 227 in the clip 222.

FIG. 24 is an exploded sectional view showing a cross-section of a fillet rail 220 with the transverse hole 221, the reduced diameter end 223, and the groove 225.

Above the representation of the rail 220 is the clip 222 with its tab 224 and holes 228 for the pin 227. As illustrated, the clip 222 is intended to be inserted into the rail 220 after a ball adapter (not 21 shown) has been mounted in the clip 222.

FIG. 25 illustrates an alternative form of the clip 222 wherein a pair of pins 229 are formed in the clip for mounting a ball adapter to the clip instead of the use of a pin passing through the clip 222 and the ball 17 of the ball adapter 15.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the clip shown in FIG. 22. The clip of FIG. 26 is used as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the alternative form of clip shown in FIG. 25 and illustrates the clip with a cut wall surface at 230 and the pins 229 molded into the interior surface of the clip. This form of clip would be opened at the cut wall as shown in the left side of FIG. 28 so as to permit the clip to be placed about the ball surface 15 of ball adapter (not shown) and then the pins 229 can be inserted in the hole through the ball 17 as shown in FIGS. 4 & 21. FIG. 28 illustrates a clip with a single cut wall 230 in the left side view and in the right side view the illustration is a clip 222 make in two halves for duplicating the form of clip shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 illustrates a top plan view showing a clip 222 mounted with tabs 224 in the groove 225 of a fillet rail 220. FIG. 30 illustrates a portion of a rail 220 adapted with spaced cutout holes 221 and the reduced diameter portion 223. The spacing between cutout holes 221 may be as required by building codes for baluster spacing and, as illustrated at the right end of the illustration, and end of a fillet rail 220 may be one half of the distance between code spaced holes so that the ends of two fillet rails will provide for a full spacing between the first and last hole in adjacent fillet rails.

FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 illustrate the possible assembly of modules of balusters for installation along a rail. In FIG. 31 three assemblies are shown; one at the left with 12 balusters, a central assembly having 7 balusters, and on the right an assembly with 2 balusters. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, these assemblies of modules of balusters can be preassembled with fillet rails before being delivered to a job site in units that will span the length of a desired rail system. On the job site, as shown in FIG. 32, the modules are then attached to rails having a plough adapted to receive the fillet rail. The modules are adjustable in slope to match any slope of a stair or ramp or the horizontal surface of a deck, balcony or landing. The modules can be mounted between posts on the job site. Modules for step cut railings having balusters of different length can also be prefabricated and sent to the job site. Also, with the flexible assembly of balusters to a top rail and a base rail, the ball adapter system of the present invention provides for ease of installation.

FIG. 33 illustrates one of the preferred forms of the ball adapter 15 wherein there are three levels of interior cavities; a first cavity 32 for receiving a portion of a baluster, a second cavity 35 for passage of a fastening means 38 such as a screw, and a third cavity 37 for passage of the fastening means and to allow flexible mounting of the ball adapter and movement of the baluster about the center of the ball surface 17.

FIG. 34 illustrates another preferred form of the ball adapter invention wherein the flexible mounting of the ball adapter 15 is accomplished by mounting the ball adapter with a pin 51 passing through the center of the ball 17. The pin is then secured to a socket that is mounted on a rail system.

FIG. 35 illustrates the flexibility of the mounting of the ball adapter 15 as shown in FIG. 33 wherein the ball adapter 15 is used to attach the ball to a rail structure 12 with a socket 16 contacting the rail and screw 38 passing through the ball 17 and the pyramidal cavity 37 to the rail. The flexibility is provided by the movement of the ball adapter about the mounting within the socket 16 within the limits of the opening of the pyramidal cavity.

FIG. 36 illustrates another of the preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrating several attachment means for connecting the socket to the rail or fillet rail 12 and includes a screw 45 extending down from the rail, or a screw 45 a extending upwardly through the socket base and into the face of the rail 12, or side screws 45 b extending upwardly through flanges of the socket 16. In each of these attaching means the purpose is to attach the socket 16 to the rail 12. The interior of the socket is adapted to receive the ball surface 17 of the ball adapter in the socket 16. The mounting of the ball for its limited rotary movement is through a pin 51 extending through the transverse holes 49 in the socket (not shown) and the hole (not shown) through the center of ball 17. The purpose of this mounting is to provide limited rotary of the ball adapter about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail 12.

FIG. 37 illustrates that the axis of rotation of the ball adapter at the pin 51 is within the cavity 48 in the interior of the socket 16 (or in the case of a pin support within the rail as shown in FIGS. 22 & 23) is not visible from the exterior of the mounting of the ball adapter to the rail. A finished mounting of balusters with the apparatus of the preferred embodiments as here illustrated would provide a finished appearance without blemishes.

FIG. 38 illustrates a ball adapter 15 with both the central mounting screw attachment means passing through the center of the ball 17 and an adaptation for central pivot pin 51 that would pass through the center of the ball 17 and provide for movement about the pin.

FIGS. 39, 40 and 41 illustrate the several attachments of a ball adapter to a rail 12. In FIG. 39 the attachment is either through a central screw attachment means of pin 51 each of which provides for limited movement of the ball adapter 15 with respect to the rail 12. FIG. 40 illustrates the attachment of the ball adapter 15 to the central cavity of socket 16 at pin 51 extending through the center of the ball 17; the socket is attached to the rail 12 by screws 45 b (or the like) passing through a portion of the socket 16. FIG. 41 illustrates the attachment an assembly of the ball adapter 15 with a socket 16 attached to a fillet rail 22 by a screw 45 passing into the center of the top of the socket 16 and the entire assembly is maintained within a plough 21 of a rail 12.

FIG. 42 illustrates the axial sliding of a base connector 26 along the lower end of a baluster 11 a and the connection to the base washer or adapter 24.

FIG. 43 illustrates the socket 21 attached to a base or shoe rail 31 (or a tread) as it could be adapted to receive a ball adapter 15 in the several mounting arrangements previously described.

FIG. 44 illustrates the attachment of a ball adapter to a base or shoe rail 31 (or tread) wherein the base rail includes a plough 21 to which a fillet rail 22 is connected. The assembly is intended to illustrate that the same elements can be used in the base and top attachment of a baluster to a stair or deck.

FIG. 45 shows an alternative form of the mounting system using a cutout in the undersurface of a rail 12. In this form, the cutout 61 has a cup shaped insert 63 that is attached by a screw 64 so as to lock within the cutout. The insert 63 has an outer ridge 65 with a transverse hole 66 (not shown) adapted to pass a pin 67. The ball 17 for this assembly has an interior transverse hole 68 (not shown) for receiving the pin 67 that is passed through the insert 63 to support the ball 17 for limited rotational movement with respect to the axis of the rail 12.

FIG. 46 illustrates an alternative mounting for the ball adapter 15 within a fillet rail 22 that is adapted to mate with the plough 21 in a rail 12. The fillet rail 22 is constructed with an edge 461 that is large enough to permit a hole to pass through the edge to accommodate a pin 51. The ball 17 of the ball adapter 15 also has a hole (not shown) that passes through its center and is adapted to receive the partial pins 51. The ball adapter 15 is then supported for limited rotational movement about the pin 51 within the fillet rail 22.

FIG. 47 is a three part illustration of the mounting of a baluster between a rail 21 and a base here shown as a tread 31 using a ball adapter 15 and socket 16. In the method shown here and with the apparatus shown, a baluster 11 first has its upper end 11 b inserted into the interior cavity 32 of the ball adapter 15 with the ball adapter rotated about its pivotal connection to the rail 12 and/or fillet rail. An internally threaded connector 26 is slideably positioned on the lower end 11 a of the baluster and the baluster is moved to be adjacent to the tread or base 31. A threaded base washer 24 is here shown attached to the base 31 directly below the position of the ball adapter 15 attachment to the rail 21. The upper end 11 b of the baluster 11 is then raised into the inner cavity of the ball adapter a sufficient distance to permit the lower end 11 a of the baluster 11 to be moved to a position directly above the threaded base washer 24 and the lower end 11 a of the baluster is positioned on top of the washer 24. The connector is then threaded onto the washer 24 to lock the alignment of the baluster. A set screw 28 can then be set in the upper ball adapter and the lower connector to fix the baluster against rotational movement. All connections of the baluster to the upper rail and the lower rail have a finished appearance. The mounting of the baluster between the upper rail and the lower base has been accomplished using the apparatus and method of the present invention.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims. 

1. A baluster attachment kit for connecting a baluster along a surface of a stair in a desired orientation, comprising: a baluster having a first end and a second end; an attachment apparatus for securing the first end of the baluster to a rail of the stair, a mount for securing the second end of the baluster to a horizontal base of the stair, the mount includes: a base element shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the horizontal base, the base element including an aperture for the passage of a screw; a base baluster connector having a hollow interior shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the baluster, the base baluster connector including a first end and a second end, the first end being shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the baluster; a coupling structure associated with the base element and the base baluster connector for selectively securing the base element to the base baluster connector; whereby the attachment apparatus attaches the first end of the baluster to the rail and the mount attaches the second end of the baluster to the horizontal base by axially sliding the base baluster connector along the second end of the baluster and mating the base baluster connector to the base element.
 2. The baluster attachment kit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling structure is an external coupling adaptation forming part of the base element and an internal coupling adaptation forming part of the base baluster connector, wherein the second end of the base baluster connector includes the second internal coupling adaptation which is shaped and dimensioned for mating with the external coupling adaptation of the of the base element.
 3. The baluster attachment kit according to claim 1, wherein the external coupling adaptation of the base element is external threading, and the internal coupling adaptation of the base baluster connector is internal threading shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with the external threading of the base element.
 4. The baluster attachment kit according to claim 3, wherein the coupling structure is a set screw passing through the base baluster connector and engaging the base element.
 5. A mount for securing a second end of a baluster to a horizontal base of a stair in a baluster mounting kit including a baluster having a first end and the second end and an attachment apparatus for securing the first end of the baluster to a rail of the stair, the mounting comprising; a base element shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the horizontal base, the base element including an aperture for the passage of a screw; a base baluster connector having a hollow interior shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the baluster, the base baluster connector including a first end and a second end, the first end being shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the baluster; a coupling structure associated with the base element and the base baluster connector for selectively securing the base element to the base baluster connector; whereby the attachment apparatus attaches the first end of the baluster to the rail and the mount attaches the second end of the baluster to the horizontal base by axially sliding the base baluster connector along the second end of the baluster and mating the internal coupling adaptation of the base baluster connector to the external coupling adaptation of the base element.
 6. The mount according to claim 5, wherein the coupling structure is an external coupling adaptation forming part of the base element and an internal coupling adaptation forming part of the base baluster connector, wherein the second end of the base baluster connector includes the second internal coupling adaptation which is shaped and dimensioned for mating with the external coupling adaptation of the of the base element.
 7. The mount according to claim 6, wherein the external coupling adaption of the base element is external threading, and the internal coupling adaptation of the base baluster connector is internal threading shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with the external threading of the base element.
 8. The mount according to claim 6, wherein the coupling structure is a set screw passing through the base baluster connector and engaging the base element. 